Page 16 of The Night Runs Red

He cocked his head to the side. “That is what you have Jasper for, is it not?”

I leaned forward, smiling as I braced my elbows on the table. It was a dangerous line to toe, and I’d probably regret my words somehow, but I never cared much about my safety. “Does that anger you?”

He matched my posture until we were mere inches away from one another. “This is the last thing I wanted to discuss. While I said I did not care what or who you did in your free time, Jasper is off-limits. Not only is he a staff member, but he is also my closest friend.”

“So, you are angry,” I murmured, pushing back. “Or is it jealousy? They both seem to have the same shade on you.”

“Neither,” he growled, revealing a hint of the sharp canines underneath his lips. “But I will not tolerate you fucking the staff just because Jasper has given you some attention and you feel insecure. Allow me to let you in on a secret, wife; he does that with every woman who crosses his path. You are not special. He will fuck you, then leave you, and you will come crying to me with a broken heart because you assumed he cared. I simply do not want to deal with the fallout.”

Rion sat back in his chair, stone-faced and resolute, but I had reached my limit. My eyes prickled with tears threatening to fall, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how deeply his words cut. I stood quickly, placing as much space between the two of us as I could without knocking my chair to the floor. His words rang out on repeat until it was all I could hear.

You are not special.

You are not special.

You are not special.

“This conversation is over,” I said, attempting to keep my voice even. Gods, I was stupid. This man and I would never be on good terms. I was an inconvenience to his life, an irritating fly that he couldn’t afford to squish. He didn’t want this marriage any more than I did. The difference, however, was that I had been determined to make the most out of the shitty hand I’d been dealt, and he was not.

We were fundamentally different on every level, and he would never change. That much was abundantly clear.

His strong hand gripped my forearm, pulling me back into his hard body. “Where do you think you are going?”

“Anywhere you aren’t.” I pushed at his chest, but his hold only tightened. It bordered on painful, and I couldn’t help but let out a small whimper which immediately had him releasing his grip. Red marks began forming where his fingertips had been, leaving behind a reminder of his disdain.

Something strange flickered in his eyes as he stared at the place he’d held. He ran a hand through his hair, tousling it in a stupid, unfortunate way that made him even more attractive before stepping back and straightening his posture. “I will find someone else to give you the grounds tour. I have work to do.”

* * *

Brielle

How was your first night together? Did he bite you? Vampyres are known for their… talents in the bedroom. IS IT TRUE?

Hey! Just checking in. I haven’t heard from you this morning.

Are you okay???

Why are you ignoring my texts???

I know that husband of yours has more enchantments on his home than the mayor, but I will break through them all to know you’re okay! TEXT ME BACK!

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I stared down at Brielle’s messages. She’d been sending a constant stream of questions since I woke up, but I wasn’t in the mood to discuss my nigh. I mean, for fucks sake, what could I say? “Hey, Brielle! Sorry, I lost track of time talking to my husband who wants nothing to do with me. Oh, and I might have a crush on his super-hot friend and bodyguard? He made me hot cocoa last night when I couldn’t sleep. Don’t worry though—Rion told me it was nothing, and that I wasn’t special. *kiss emoji*”

Yeah, that would calm her.

But I knew if I didn’t give her something, she’d hold to her promise to storm this isle and fight past the wards to check on me. That was just what we did for one another; we cared. The most frustrating aspect of all this was that I didn’t think I truly felt anything for Jasper other than friendship. I just wanted a friend. Someone I could turn to who knew this place like the back of his hand.

It wasn’t my fault that my new friend was hot as sin.

My phone rang the next second—Brielle’s name and photo lighting up on my screen. “Shit,” I mumbled. I couldn’t ignore her, not after the amount of texts she’d just sent.

“What’s wrong?” she demanded before I could even get in a greeting. “And before you give me some bullshit about being tired or whatever, remember I will find out the truth, so you might as well save us both the trouble and spit it out.”

I sighed, eyes drifting toward the picture of my mother sitting on my nightstand. She looked so beautiful and happy, eyes alight with laughter as she held me tightly. “It’s just a lot to get used to. I mean, I knew what I was getting involved in. I knew our marriage would be fake and wasn’t what I wanted for my life, but it’s what I’ve got. Honestly, I’m just trying to make the most of it. But he is making it so godsdamn difficult, and I–”

“Fake marriage?” Somehow, I knew those were the two words she’d latch onto.

“Yeah, fake marriage. You know, the kind where you live in separate bedrooms and only speak to each other when necessary.” Suddenly, I found myself spilling everything to her—even the bits I hadn’t intended to disclose: Rion’s proposal for extramarital relationships, the kitchen fiasco, and finally, how my new husband ended today’s encounter. I even told her about the mundane tour of the estate I’d gone on with one of the household staff.

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